We chose plain glass and no muntins on our cabinet doors for the same reason you are considering, I am glad we did.

We chose light colored cabinets because we did not want to be closed in.

Personally I like cabinets that go to the ceiling. Our ceiling is 8'. The cabinet
maker gave me more space at the top inside of the cabinet than they normally do (more room for something tall).

I like that our the upper cabinets do not come right up close to the sink area; I am concerned about that in you plan. I think I might feel boxed in by that.
There are 15" of countertop on each side of our the sink without an upper cabinet over it, more would have been nice but I felt I needed the cabinet space.

{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}

Maureen, I'm not sure what your budget is for cabinets, but American Woodmark @ HD is offering 20% off their cabinets right now through the end of the year. Many in the forum have them or the Lowes comparable Shanandoah. (both of which are made by the same company) and love them. An added bonus is Lowes is also offering a price match on their brand as well. If for nothing else, that could help you with a comparison when you receive the pricing from you GC.

My DH was just asking me this morning about cabinets that go the ceiling because it uses what would otherwise be dead space an important consideration especially for smaller kitchens. My first and only thought as a negative to that is like you said, it could make the space look smaller or more closed in. But if you're going to use some paned glass doors that would surely help to open it up. When looking at your options keep in mind that some people say the glass doors have worked against them because they have to keep the pretty stuff in them for appearance sake and when incorporating the panes, they only allow for one shelf height. I have seen kitchens were textured glass was used without the panes in them and they looked lovely.

I have to agree with your GC about using the green for all the cabs, they're trendy now, but it's easy to believe that one can easily tire of it as trends change. I'd lean towards an off white so your options are always open and you can incorporate the green through wall color or even in the back splash. Or, if you like the look, why not have green bottoms and white uppers? Or maybe just choose one focal cabinet for the green and have the rest be off white. Just a thought.

The delima you describe with your DH is familiar, I feel for you. My friends say I'm lucky that it's all up to me and I'm never over ruled, but I think I'd prefer my DH to have an interest too. Guess the grass is always greener on the other side. Hope you let us know what you decide, Good luck! -- Lukki

Thanks for the info.

I think my GC is trying to get me as many cabs as possible. Debs3, your kitchen looks great so far. I have a single window, and I understand what you mean about the uppers crowding the window and sink area. How would I fix this? I might have to eliminate the blind corner cabinet on the left? Go narrower on the right?

Would you do all glass doors on the sink side and to the left? Or maybe just the ones on the sink side. I believe my GC said that glass doors are more money? That doesn't seem right.

About the green? I've seen very few green kitchens, especially sage. I didn't realize they were trendy. Well there's another mark against them. The GC is pushing the Wellborn. He is pricing everything as an allowance He knows a source that only makes about 10% on the cabinets, rather than the standard 20%?

I'll need some color in the backsplash, especially as there will be very little visible wall.

Hmm, take the cabinet plan to a big box and get a quote. We did, and it was similar to what the GC offered for the Wellborn Forest shakers that we bought. We ordered through the GC, as we wanted him to be invested in the project. But I still think fondly of the cherry slab that I could have gotten from HD. sigh. Get another quote and at least you'll know what a deal you're getting--or not.

Glass doors - totally agree that plain glass (no muntins) will open up space. GC told us they are more expensive. We briefly considered glass inserts for upper doors in our pantries.

Cabs to ceiling - Um, why wouldn't you choose tall cabs? Again, get a quote elsewhere so you have something to compare.

Color - Divinity is nice. Would look good with soapstone. You're making great choices!

Here are my thoughts. I think I would get rid of the blind upper left of the sink and just run your uppers on the left wall all the way to the corner. Then you would have space next to your window. It may not be the easiest reach into the corner, but I would trade that for the open feeling. Yes, I think plain glass or plain glass with a beveled edge would look great. Yes, I'd do cabinets to the ceiling in an 8 foot ceiling kitchen. And, the Divinity color looks nice, would look good with the soapstone and add a vintage feel. (Wow, I think your questions are the first ones in a long time that I had definite opinions on! FWIW!). Good luck, I'm sure your kitchen will turn out beautiful.

Maureen, I just want to clarify, I wasn't trying to say that the sage green color in specific is trendy but it seems that cabinets painted in various colors are, especially when it comes to islands. Many of the colors I wouldn't consider to be timeless, and who knows what will be popular 5 or 10 years from now.

Go, go, go, with the cabinets to the ceiling, with a nice crown molding. I just had my cabinets installed and although they look beautiful, I am very sorry I did not go to the ceiling. My installer suggested I get them but I thought I did not want them. I don't know why, my insperation kitchen had them. I went with Maple cabinets in an ivory white. I just choose my counter today, I went with Giallo Ormamental, It has a white on white look. I went with gunstock hardwood floor.I am sort of stuck on a paint color, we went with a creammy beige. I guess when it is all finished it will come together beautifully. My appliances are all SS. Now I have to choose a faucet but I think I might go with Chrome instead of SS. I have to think about that.

Another vote for plain glass (with or without bevel). It has the added benefit of if you have adjustable shelves you don't have to line them up with muntins. I think the Divinity color would be great. I love green, but I would put it on your walls instead of the cabinets.

Also, I think the cabinet up to the ceiling is a good look for your kitchen and it give a bit more storage. You just have to use a step ladder to get to it. And I like kimkitchy's idea of having uppers on the left wall to open up the window. And maybe shorten the uppers run to the right giving the window a little breathing room too.

I think an off white would be lovely in your kitchen very classic. That said I can not speak for the up keep or cleaning of them because I have never had them. You mentioned that you had white before and hated them I am afraid if you did not like white then maybe you may not like them now. I would love painted cabinets(I am trying to lighten things up) but DH is dead set againts painting wood. I want him to have an opinion but then when it's not mine I'd rather he did't LOL.

I'd take the cabs to the ceiling. (That's what you have now!) Also, I don't think having cabinets on both sides of the sink will feel boxed in. First of all, you have a big sink base--39 inches. And a window that opens up the area. Plus, you're talking about doing whitish cabs and white expands the space. And lastly, it would look weird and unbalanced with the wall open on only one side of the window, IMO.

You just don't have many alternatives and are adding a dishwasher that takes away from potential storage space so, if it was my kitchen, I wouldn't be giving up any cabinets.

Considering all of the obstacles, you have done a great job!

With everyone's backup, I'm going to demand that the cabinets go to the ceiling.

Glass doors: Yes - on the sink wall and left of the sink, solid doors around range and refrigerator.

Color: Divinity. I think I disliked my white cabs because of the white countertops. I think I must like contrast.

I'm not sure what to do about moving the cabs away from the window. I'd want the spaces on each side to be the same. I think narrower cabs will only make it harder to empty the dishwasher, as I will not be able to reach the cabinets on the right with the DW door open anyway. I think that the narrower cabs would look better, but the wider ones would be more practical?

I'm getting there! Thanks for all the help. I'm feeling better already. Next I'll start obsessing about the lighting and backsplash.

IMO I would be less concerned about the aesthetics at this point, and more concerned about the functionality of the design. I think that the cabinet layout is really suffering in terms of accessibility. I feel that you should go and get several concept designs and see if anyone comes up with something better. You should go to the ceiling, why lose cabinet space and add a dust collector. What about cabinets that are split 2/3 solid door 1/3 glass panel.

Here is a picture of "tobacco green" or "anti-white" cabinets from this month's Traditional Home. I think it would be a stunning look for your traditional home. And if you really wanted to expand your cabinet space, you could put a glass backed and fronted cabinet over the window on the wall next to the range, like these guys did.
{{!gwi}}
^^Does anyone else wonder how often that photo over the stove has to be cleaned and/or replaced?

I have a teeny kitchen. I am having my cabinets custom made because all of the ready made cabinets were too short to go all the way to the ceiling and I desparately need the space. btw, the custom cabinets are 33% to 25% of the price of the better semi-custom cabinets that I got quotes on.

Hey Maureen,

You are really moving along. It will cost more but I agree about going to the ceiling. I also think glass doors without muntins is a good idea. Plain glass? You are going with a fairly simple door design (shaker is always classic), a neutral cabinet colour, how much movement you will get in the soapstone will depend so I would think about a patterned glass - something to give you a bit of texture might be wise - obviously nothing busy (I was thinking what Pilkington calls Warwick or Flemish - usually easy to put it in later if you have budget issues). Both are pretty transparent but might add a nice touch. Glass doors do cost more. Open shelving can also open things up and save money - similarly if you shrink or drop a couple of cabs it might free up some resouces for the taller cabs or glass doors. Not going full height can be a real money saver

Which box are you going for with the Wellborn cabs? The polystyrene corners don't sound good but I have never run across them before so maybe there great.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: pilkington textured glass

I've been thinking about this for a long time. I don't know how much of this plan can be changed, without spending much more money. There are asbestos issues (radiator pipes), old electric, a yucky ceiling, heating problems, etc. Moving doorways would create problems in adjoining rooms. Moving plumbing and gas would only add to the expense. (i want the sink under the window and the range on outside wall). Other than having to use a stepstool to reach some of the cabinets, I'm not sure of any real problems?

I will be happy not to push the DW around every day, or move the trash can and cat bowls to access cabinets, or banging my arm on the microwave that sits on a cart that sticks out into the doorway. I also wanted to move the stove away from the bathroom door. If I'm cooking and someone is in there I am at least 15 extra inches way from them.

That green kitchen is very cool! Too posh for me, of course. I've never seen a glass cabinet/window before, (or never noticed)

Caryscott - patterned glass could be really pretty! I don't know if Wellborn offers it, I can't find it online, but I will ask my GC. I think I'm getting Green Mountain Original soapstone, the veining seems pretty light, not busy (not that I've picked out a slab though).

I wish I knew how much extra the tall cabs will be so I can really think about it. The plan with the shorter cabs was about 7k. I may have to decide if I want the shorter cabs and soapstone or taller ones with laminate. I wish I could have it all - everything I want! Now!

Maureen,

If they don't it is something you can often do more reasonably locally. I didn't want to mess around with glass so we are switching the plain factory glass out of 2 of our 30 x 30 cabs for $65 each pane(price includes their $15 labour charge per pane). I was quoted almost double by another place so shop around. I actually recommend you do it locally, you will usually get a much better selection and can see it in person (if your not postive about your choice do one and bring it home before you do the rest).

Don't give up on the soapstone yet but I wouldn't compromise much on the cabs to get it - it is pretty easy to switch out laminate tops later when you can afford to upgrade (NKBA suggest that countertops are a good place to compromise if $ are tight because they can be changed so easily).I'll keep my fingers crossed that you can get both.

I will be happy not to push the DW around every day, or move the trash can and cat bowls to access cabinets, or banging my arm on the microwave that sits on a cart that sticks out into the doorway. I also wanted to move the stove away from the bathroom door. If I'm cooking and someone is in there I am at least 15 extra inches way from them.

I had to keep reducing my storage space in order to get the functionality that I was looking for (such as long stretches of open counter, microwave above the counter). Although I hated to lose 1 square inch I finally had to prioritize those things that would affect me every DAY when I use the kitchen versus storage for things that I use once a week, once a month or even once a year. So I will be storing some less often used things a little further away, maybe even in the garage, but the DAILY use stuff is easier. I know you have a budget cap and moving things around will start to eat it up fast, but consider trying to do things that will affect you all the time, even if you have to sacrifice some storage space. Which would you rather do, roll the dishwasher in and connect it every day, or bring the breadmaker in from the garage/basement twice a year...they're not comparable, but I think you get my point. Think about what annoys you DAILY and spend your money on that.

On another note I can commiserate with you on not being able to discuss things with DH. In my case it's DW. When we started this project I just assumed she would be very interested in every detail. I quickly discovered I couldn't hold her attention with kitchen stuff for more than about 30 seconds. Who would have thought I would have married the one woman who's not interested in colors, design, styles (just kidding). But then my wife and I are a little backwards...we often joke about how we kind of reverse stereotypical roles. Anyway I found Gardenweb and I had an outlet for my desire to talk about all things kitchen... Of course I never really had to argue about anything because she would go along with whatever I wanted...so it's all good. :)

- Jim

Hi, Maureen. Not sure if this applies, but I saw a kitchen here on the boards recently which had mirrors in the "glass" cabinets instead of glass. She wanted the open feeling but didn't want to have to fuss with the interiors. The mirror reflects light and makes the space feel more open. I would think also that you could get reasonably priced mirror material.

It sounds like you've already decided this way, but I'm another vote for taking the cabinets to the ceiling. I just took out cabs with soffits above and put in cabs to the ceiling and in my opinion, it makes the kitchen look larger, not smaller, because you have one unbroken line going up. Yes, the extra cab is more expensive but you can also store seldom used items up there easily.

Good luck

Anita

If you've spec'd 30" cabinets and want to move to 42" cabinets, the price usually almost doubles. Say, times it by about 1.8 would be about right for most lines. Glass is REALLY expensive. Glass cabinets are typically 3x to 4x as expensive as cabinets with "regular" wood doors. You have to remember that this also includes the matching interior option, and may or may not include glass shelves. I prefer the glass shelves, as you can add in cabinet lighting and it really makes a kitchen bright and airy as well as highlighting some special pieces that a homeowner may have. There are other technical issues with taking your cabinets to the ceiling. With 8" ceilings and 42" cabinets, you will not have room for any crown molding at all. This would be very similar to the look that your cabinets currently have, and while it looks great with the slab doors to not have crown molding, a more traditional look can look a bit unfinished without it. If your cabinet line offers 39" cabinets, then you'd have room for a small 3" molding at the top. Many lines don't offer 39" cabinets, but most offer 36" cabinets, which leaves you room for a nicely substantial 6" crown molding feature. It will all depend on how attractive you find crown molding vs having that extra tiny bit of hard to reach storage. Molding also is expensive, and the stacked molding needed for 6" of crown molding will not be cheap, but it's one of those details that most people DO notice about a kitchen. It's totally up to you to set your priorities for your kitchen, but I don't think your current cabinet folks have explained a lot about the different options and tradeoffs of each to you. ANd, I'm not loving the layout either. I think you should get more input on the layout from the forum as well as checking out a few more showrooms and designers locally.

Live Wire - thanks for the info. You are scaring me though! The ceiling is slightly lower than 8', as the original plaster ceiling is covered by a popcorn layer. It will be lower still if he drywalls over the popcorn.

Jim - I know what you mean! I have a big cabinet-over-cabinet buffet in the dining room and keep tons of stuff in there, also have a closet in the basement for seldom used items.

I know I'll need to make some trade-offs. I think I would forgo the glass doors, but try to get the tall cabinets. I hope the shaker style cabs are the best choice.

I thought the layout was the best possible, but I am wondering now. I going to start a new post.

Thanks!